Which U.S. president invited Bob Marley to the White House?

Jimmy Carter was the U.S. president who invited Bob Marley to the White House. Marley was among the musicians expected at a June 1979 White House dinner and concert honoring the Black Music Association during Carter’s presidency.

The event reflected Carter’s close relationship with popular musicians and his administration’s interest in celebrating Black music. Other notable performers and guests associated with the evening included James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Muddy Waters, Grace Jones, and Mavis Staples.

This was a group White House event rather than a private presidential invitation specifically arranged around Marley. That distinction explains why the story can be hard to find in short biographies, even though contemporary reporting listed Marley among the invited guests.

Marley’s appearance also fit the broader cultural moment. By 1979, reggae had become an international force, and Marley was its most recognizable global ambassador. He died in 1981, during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, so Reagan is not the answer.